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1. TORONTO RAPTORS: Think about it - theyve been growing to this point over the past few seasons. They started the 2012-13 season with a 4-19 record and went 30-29 the rest of the way. From 4-19, the Raps have gone 94-57 since, in the past few seasons. They started last season 6-12 and then went 42-22 the rest of the way. From 6-12, the Raps have gone an amazing 64-28 over the past season plus. Theyre in the zone and have improved dramatically. As they enter tonights game in Chicago to start a brutal six game road stretch, the question needs to be asked---regardless of whether they go 0-6, 6-0 or 3-3 on this trip--are they currently at a point where the window of opportunity has opened for them in this years Eastern Conference race or are they a year or two away? I said it before and Ill say it again, in my opinion--I think theyre a fourth quality big man away from being in that discussion. Check out an article written by Christopher Reina for RealGM.com about the Raptors--he makes some interesting points worth considering. Quite a decision (a positive one) upcoming for GM Masai Ujiri about the next move to make (if any). The next six games (missing DeMar DeRozan--must take that into consideration) will give him better insight into really where his team is and where they need to go. Fun stuff -- compared to so many other dreadful seasons that Raps fans have endured. Enjoy the ride. 2. RUDY GOBERT (Jazz): Love this young mans potential. Keep an eye on him. In December hes averaging 7.5 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game while shooting 67 per cent. Hes averaging 2.2 blocks per game in that span as well. The best is yet to come. Im sure a bunch of contending teams will be sniffing around trying to pry this kid off Utahs hands for a pick or an expiring contract. Hes worth a look. The cat is out of the bag--kid can play. 3. DE MARRE CARROLL (Hawks): Turning into a nice three man for Atlanta. His three-point shot has improved greatly to 40 per and hes averaging 11.5 PPG and 5.3 RBG in a breakout year for him and his team. Love his energy and toughness. He guards and plays within his abilities. Love his approach. 4. DANILO GALINARI (Nuggets): This young man cant catch a break. Out 18 months with three left knee procedures and now hes out with a right knee injury. If Im Denvers ownership and management, Im legitimately concerned that hes never going to be the player he once was. Something has run amiss here and with constant breakdowns and inconsistent health theyre in a tough spot with what once was a very valuable asset. A shame. 5. DONATAS MOTIEJUNAS (Rockets): Dwight Howard goes down--no problem. This young man has grown by leaps and bounds in the month of December (15.6 PPG/6.4 RPG/53 per cent). They knew he was pretty good but hes better than they ever imagined and it took an injury to force feed him into the fire-cooker of pressure to see what he has and hes delivered for them. Has nice post skills and solid face up game. Fundamentally sound with a winning approach to the game. A true keeper for them. Out of crisis--something really good happened. Theyll be in the hunt all season in the West and another reason is this guy. Cheap Fake Yeezy From China . Scolari says that although Brazilians have the right to complain about the government and demand improvements, perhaps the protests wont be coming at the "right time. Fake Yeezy Outlet . 5 Trade Deadline is drawing closer and teams will be deciding on whether to buy or sell while figuring out which players can make the biggest difference and hold the greatest value. http://www.fakeyeezywholesale.com/. Red Sox outfielder Jonny Gomes, the bandleader of the beard brigade during Bostons run to the 2013 World Series title, said he will be shaving his off before spring training so that he can file it "in the archive" with his memories of the teams improbable championship. Wholesale Fake Yeezy Online . Gorges is believed to have suffered the injury while blocking a shot with a hand during Montreals win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. The Canadiens added to their defensive depth this week by acquiring veteran Mike Weaver from the Florida Panthers. Fake Yeezy Boost . -- A year ago, Flavia Pennetta was close to retiring from tennis.TORONTO - By the time the Raptors make their selection in next months NBA draft, provided they stand pat at pick no. 20, three Canadian players should already be off the board. Thornhills Andrew Wiggins, a lock to go in the top three, will be the first of that group to hear his name called followed by possible lottery picks in guards Nik Stauskas and Tyler Ennis, all hailing from the Greater Toronto Area. Fittingly, Ennis initial stop on the pre-draft circuit came in his hometown, headlining the Raptors first workout session Thursday morning. The Brampton-raised point guard, like Wiggins and Stauskas, has been on their radar for a while. "Weve tracked him [for] a long time," admitted general manager Masai Ujiri. "This is one of those deals where we could go to Syracuse as many times as [we wanted], being close to [Toronto], drive up, so I was fortunate enough to go to a couple practices [and] a couple games." What he saw was a young man at the age of 19 who plays the game and carries himself with poise beyond his years, a common denominator among most of the countrys emerging prospects. "He plays very calm and thats the first thing I noticed," Ujiri said of Ennis, set to enter the NBA following his freshman season at Syracuse. "[Hes] very professional and carries himself the right way." "You see his demeanour and I think hell make a good professional." Ujiri has long been enamoured by the prospect of adding a Canadian-born product but remains steadfast in his belief that it would have to be the right player, in the right situation. Understandably, the Raptors GM will not draft a player simply for his passport, rather that player must be able to contribute at the highest level, address a need on the roster and possess the maturity required to strive in a high-pressure scenario. Ennis is a player who would appear to fit the bill. "I dont think anybody enters the draft just wanting to make a team and be happy there," said Ennis, arguably the best pure point guard in this years class.dddddddddddd. "Personally, I want to make an impact. I thought I was ready for the next level when I decided to enter the draft and if I were to end up on Toronto, I would definitely want to make an impact, especially in my home town." But will he be available to the Raptors at 20? "Id be surprised," Ujiri admitted. Unless the Raptors were to trade up in the draft - a possibility, however unlikely, that Ujiri wont completely rule out - they will likely miss out on that highly touted trio, but given the influx and depth of domestic talent that continues to come out of the country its only a matter of time until they call a Canadian to the podium. "I think anybody thats lucky enough to play in Toronto," Ennis said, "with the fan support that was shown in the playoffs and the great organization that the Raptors have, I think anybody that gets drafted here is lucky. "To have a Canadian would be great for the city, I think everybody would get behind them and I think it would just be a great opportunity." Of course, the Raptors also own a pair of second-round picks - 37 and 59 - where they could snag one of four other eligible Canadians. 7-foot-2 Calgary-native Jordan Bachynski, last seasons NCAA blocked shot leader, was among the participants in Thursdays workouts at the Air Canada Centre, while Quebecs Khem Birch and Torontos Melvin Ejim and Dwight Powell could audition for the Raptors when sessions resume next week. "To have so many Canadians in the draft is big for the country and for the most part, most of them are from the Greater Toronto Area, so I think its great for basketball in Canada and its great for us individually," Ennis added. "All of us have had very good years at our respective universities and wherever we end up I know everybody thats in the draft thats Canadian is hard working and good people off the court, so I think well all be able to find success." ' ' '